Council 'ahead of the game' in tackling dangerous dogs (From Times Series)

Barnet Council 'ahead of the game' in tackling dangerous dogs in the borough

11:31am Tuesday 23rd March 2010 in News By Kevin Bradford

MEASURES to tackle dangerous dogs in the borough are already “ahead of the game” according to safety bosses on Barnet Council.

Partnership work between the council, Barnet police and the RSPCA has led to targeted operations aimed at prosecuting and advising the owners of illegal “status” dogs.

Councillor Joanna Tambourides, cabinet member for community safety and community engagement, said the parties work under the BARK (Barnet Action for Responsible K9s) umberella to promote responsible dog ownership across the borough.

Representatives meet at Colindale police station once a month to discuss issues that have arisen involving dangerous dogs and how they can solve them.

Cllr Tambourides said: “Barnet is already ahead of the game in dealing with dangerous dogs.

"The partnership BARK project was a response to residents' concerns over dangerous 'status' dogs and damage caused to trees and property by dogs.”

She said council officers have helped stop instances of dogs being trained aggressively by owners in Hendon Park and Oak Hill Park, which involved the pets attacking trees and stripping bark.

Work has also been carried out with dog owners on the Grahame Park estate, where the use of status pets had become more prevalent, and police earlier this month visited a number of properties in West Hendon and Mill Hill where reports of unruly dogs had been made.

The Times-Series has launched our Biting Back campaign calling for firmer punishments for dog owners who violate the law, tacking irresponsible ownership, an end to the use of dogs as “weapons” and an end to the cruelty towards these dogs.

The Government earlier this month began consultation looking into amending current dog legislations surrounding the four breeds of Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro and Dogo Argentino.

Changes could see dog owners forced to buy insurance for their pets while councils and police could be given the authority to muzzle or neuter dangerous animals.

Cllr Tambourides said “significant” work is already done on the issue by the authority, and added: "We will continue to support the police wherever possible to ensure that dogs categorised as illegal are taken away from their owners and other dangerous breeds are properly monitored and dealt with if they or their owners step out of line."